Patient Advocate

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center

Department: Pharmacy - Oral Oncology Mgmt

Position is located: Lafayette Building

Work Type: PRN

Hours Per Week: 0.00

Work Schedule: No Hours Assigned

Summary :

Provide a bridge between the patient and their healthcare provider team. The Patient Advocate helps patients overcome obstacles to receiving the healthcare they need and deserve. This includes and is not limited to financial, transportation, lodging, medication assistance, billing, coding, medical records, prior authorizations as well as assistance with all the necessary paperwork involved in obtaining medical coverage.

Responsibilities :

• Departmental Pillar Score
• Uses Aidet on consistent basis.
• Effectively communicate with nursing, providers, pharmacy, CMA's, schedulers, and patients.
• Return calls to patients promptly.
• Ability to put the patient first.
• Listen and document all patient encounters in access database or messaging.
• Explain to patient how long a process could take.
• Adapts to constant interruptions while having ability to re-focus.
• Can clinically communicate with insurers, pharmacy representatives, co pay assistance programs, outside vendors on behalf of the provider or patient.
• Works well with all areas in the hospital to include registration, patient account services, insurance verification staff, collections, imaging, pharmacy.
• Departmental Pillar Score
• Returns patient disability/fmla, disability record requests with in 7 days.
• Returns all call daily when appropriate.
• Return or address all questions on the messaging board daily.
• Collaborate with other outside service agencies to provide services to our patients.
• Provides education to patients and providers in regards to patients insurance benefits.
• Assists patients with co pay assistance programs.
• Understands and applies for available grants based on patient diagnosis.
• Communicates with PAS in regards to patient billing and acts as the liason for the patient.
• Assists patients with appeals when necessary.
• Departmental Pillar Score
• 100% compliance of : ICARE, Employee Updates and any other in-services/meetings and trainings as assigned.
• Attends at least two OCN educational opportunities yearly. Several are offered throughout the year.
• Keeps up to date with Mainecare requirements and attends one mainecare conference annually.
• Meets with pharmaceutical representatives as necessary to learn about new treatments and services they offer.
• Department Pillar Score
• Seeks opportunities to cut hospital costs by applying for indigent drugs for self pay patients.
• Seeks other funding sources before providing indigent or free care.
• Departmental Pillar Score
• Understands the many resources available to patients. Charity Funds, Komen, Penquis CAP, Washington Hancock Community Action, ACS, Eastern Area on Aging, Beth Wright Center, etc.
• Learns about other services, Hospice, Home Health, DME, Pallative, Behavior Health, Genetics, Imaging, Laboratory, Samples
• Department Pllar Score
• Participates in 1 or more Clinic Community Events annually

Other Information :

Competencies and Skills

• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Education

• Required High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED)

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
• Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable.
• Potential exposure to noxious odors.
• Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.
• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
• Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.